This is what I observe when…

This is what I observe when commuting around the city (by car AND bike):
The WORST of congestion is caused by (i) (condo) developers encroaching on the road forcing merging of lanes (ii) other road or civil works, including the inevitable replacement of streetcar tracks every year (iii) cars blocking intersections.

To blame bike lanes for CAUSING congestion is ridiculous. At worst, the bike lanes cited on major thoroughfares of Yonge / Bloor / University may very well cause a couple of minutes delays to drivers but that seems a fair trade-off to (1) protect the safety of vulnerable road users (2) having alternative means to get around the city in the most direct way possible other than a car. Thinking long-term as this city grows, government should try to encourage LESS cars on the road to try to tackle congestion.

Also, I HATE that this government is willing to waste taxpayer money pulling out existing bike lanes.